Cluster Headache: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Cluster headaches are commonly called 'suicide headaches', mainly due to the severity of the pain. It is a neurological disease, which is characterized by intense pain or a headache that can last for 15 minutes to several hours. The disease is also characterized by a painless remission period lasting for a few day to several months.

There are basically two types of cluster headaches - episodic and chronic. The episodic headache occurs at regular intervals, and causes severe pain, usually at the same time for several days. This is then followed by a remission period that can last from a few weeks to several months. But chronic cluster headaches are not characterized by any remission period.

Many believe that this headache begins in the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for carrying impulses from the head to the brain. This nerve terminates into the blood vessels present around the brain. One immediate cause of the characteristic acute pain produced by this condition, is the dilation of the blood vessels, which increases the pressure on the trigeminal nerve.

A cluster headache can also be associated with an abnormality of the hypothalamus, which regulates the cyclical functions of the body. Some substances like nitroglycerine, nicotine, alcohol, and chocolate can trigger this headache. An exposure to hydrocarbons may also trigger this headache. However, many experts suspect a genetic link, though sufficient evidence is not there to establish this supposition.

It can occur abruptly without any prior signs or symptoms. Sometimes, a mild sensation of pain may be experienced in the areas that are usually affected. Some other symptoms associated with this headache are, eyelid drooping, an infection of the conjunctiva, tearing or lacrimation, and a runny nose. Sometimes, one may also experience facial blushing, swelling, and sweating.

This condition is very difficult to diagnose, as the headache is often mistaken to be a symptom of brain tumors, migraines, multiple sclerosis, and some other conditions. Therefore, physicians perform several tests to rule out the possibility of these diseases

The treatment can be classified into two categories - abortive and prophylactic. The abortive treatment is aimed towards reducing the duration, as well as the intensity of the pain, while the prophylactic treatment is of preventive nature. The common abortive treatment options for this condition are, inhalation of oxygen and the administration of triptan drugs. Sometimes, a topical anesthetic can also be sprayed into the nasal cavity.

The prophylactic or preventive medications used for this condition include, steroids, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, melatonin, neuropathic pain alleviating agents, and tricyclic antidepressants. The usual pain medications like aspirin and paracetamol are ineffective in relieving the headache.

The worst thing about a cluster headache is that the underlying causes of the disease are not known. However, certain factors like smoking and exposure to hydrocarbons are thought to trigger the headache. So, such factors can be controlled to reduce the severity and the frequency of this headache.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.